Service to mark Lasantha’s 17th death anniversary
Service to mark Lasantha’s 17th death anniversary View(s):On Thursday, 8 January, 9 am at Borella KanatteThe 17th anniversary of the assassination of The Sunday Leader founder Editor-in-Chief Lasantha Wickrematunge, which falls on 8 January, will be marked with a service at his graveside. Family, friends, former colleagues and others will gather at Borella Kanatte on Thursday, at 9 am to mark the anniversary and remember Lasantha. Assassinated on 8 January 2009, Lasantha was one of Sri Lanka’s leading journalists and an outspoken critic of the then Rajapaksa Government. He was attacked as he drove to work and later died of his injuries. Despite assurances by successive governments to ensure justice, the investigation into Lasantha’s murder has yielded no tangible results thus far and his killers still roam free, 17 years later.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Crash deaths rising; police advocate driver discipline
Crash deaths rising; police advocate driver discipline View(s):By Kasun WarakapitiyaThe police are calling on drivers to maintain self-discipline rather than depending on enforcement and awareness programmes as the road accident death toll continues to rise. Deaths in 2025 due to road accidents increased by 317 compared with 2024. That’s why we have decided to charge motorists responsible for serious accidents under criminal law apart from traffic law. However, he said that in six months, the spot fine system would be interlinked with the demerit system. Moratuwa University Emeritus Professor Amal Kumarage said people should be taught about road safety as a cultural habit.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Key study urges awareness-building as ‘cornerstone’ of cancer control
Colorectal cancer is among the five most common cancers in Sri Lanka, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 10.2 per 100,000 reported in 2019. When prompted with symptom-related statements, 365 (72.1%) also identified bleeding from the back passage as signs of colorectal cancer. With regard to ‘commonly recognised’ risk factors and awareness of risk factors, the study had found:Nearly half – 224 or 44.3% could not identify any colorectal risk factors unprompted. The study has suggested the integrating of colorectal cancer literacy into national Non-Communicable Disorders (NCD) programmes. Future policies should prioritise awareness-building as a ‘cornerstone’ of cancer control in resource-limited settings like Sri Lanka,” adds Prof. Wickramasinghe.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Envoy nominee hearings show US, Sri Lanka on same wavelength on shared interests
Envoy nominee hearings show US, Sri Lanka on same wavelength on shared interests View(s):By Kapila BandaraSri Lanka has expressed interest in working closer with the United States, a veteran career diplomat nominated as the next ambassador to Colombo told Senate hearings, while promising he will protect US strategic interests. The Senate exchanges reflect Sri Lanka’s importance to big powers whose geo-strategic interests converge and even collide in the Indo-Pacific. Foreign Relations Chairman James E. Risch, Ranking Member, recognised Sri Lanka’s progress on economic reforms and noted that “if Sri Lanka continues down this path the country will be well positioned for US private sector investment and diplomatic relations’’. Yet, he expressed concern over China’s influence over Sri Lanka’s critical infrastructure, military and energy sectors. “I understand Sri Lanka is learning their lesson.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
No signs of China Exim Bank loan for Central Expressway despite talks
No signs of China Exim Bank loan for Central Expressway despite talks View(s):By Namini WijedasaA loan sought by the Sri Lankan government from the Exim Bank of China as part-funding for Stage 1 of the Central Expressway Project (CEP 1) has still not come through despite protracted negotiations, official sources said. The Sri Lanka Government and the EXIM Bank of China first entered into a preferential buyer’s credit agreement to finance CEP 1 as early as March 2019. The change in loan currency from US dollars to RMB was at the request of China Exim. The original EXIM Bank concessional loan was US$989 mn, of which just US$51.5 mn was disbursed before its suspension. While the remainder is US$938 mn, EXIM, post-debt restructuring, has now only committed to lending US$500 mn in RMB.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
SPAR Group provides Rs. 35 m to Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund
SPAR Group provides Rs. 35 m to Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund View(s):SPAR Group, South Africa has pledged Rs. 35 million to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund with the contribution officially handed over by the Chairman of SPAR Sri Lanka, Rob Philipson. In addition to the financial contribution, SPAR Sri Lanka— a collaboration between Ceylon Biscuits Ltd (CBL) and The SPAR Group South Africa—mobilised its retail and supply chain network to ensure continued access to essential food and household necessities. Commenting on the initiative, Kumar De Silva, CEO of SPAR Supermarkets Sri Lanka, stated: “This contribution reflects SPAR’s commitment to standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka as the country rebuilds”Through this contribution and its ongoing community-focused initiatives, SPAR Sri Lanka reaffirms its commitment to social responsibility, food security, the resilience of retail entrepreneurs, and long-term community wellbeing across the island.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
NDB contributes Rs. 50 m to Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund
NDB contributes Rs. 50 m to Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund View(s):National Development Bank PLC (NDB Bank) has extended its support with a Rs. 50-million contribution to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund. Representing NDB Bank at the handover were K.V.Vinoj – Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Sanjaya Perera – Senior Vice President, Personal Banking & Customer Experience and Lasantha Dasanayaka – Vice President, Human Resources/Head of Corporate Sustainability, the bank said in a media release. Aligned with its broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework, NDB Bank continues to integrate purposeful action into its business philosophy.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
A New Year awash with colour and hope
A New Year awash with colour and hope View(s):By Dilushi WijesingheAs the clock struck midnight, bursts of colour lit up the skyline as Sri Lanka stepped into 2026 with a blend of devotion and celebration in the wake of recent hardships caused by Cyclone Ditwah. While some welcomed the New Year with music and fireworks, thousands marked the transition with religious observances. Buddhist temples saw devotees offering flowers, lighting oil lamps, chants echoing softly through the shrine rooms. Pilgrims at Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) marked the New Year with religious observances along the sacred trail. Having lost homes to floods, residents came together for religious observances, created intricate rice art, and prepared pongal rice.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Sri Lanka’s LNG strategy brings US Gas firm into focus
Sri Lanka’s LNG strategy brings US Gas firm into focus By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka is currently facing a transitional period in the energy field, using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for a changeover, aiming for a target of 70 per cent of renewable-based power by the year 2030. Due to the lack of progress and new government tenders with other companies, the US-based firm, New Fortress Energy‘s (NFE’s) plan to develop an LNG terminal and supply gas appears to have been on the back-burner. The resuscitated NFE agreement, including other schemes in the energy/trade domain, represents Sri Lanka’s strategies to ‘deepen economic engagement’ with the US, covering the whole gamut from tariff talks to full-fledged trade arrangements. Moreover, a MoU was signed in August 2024 for the supply of LNG to power plants with Indian Petronet LNG. Sri Lanka has a major, ongoing plan involving since 2021 to import LNG, with NFE set to develop an offshore LNG terminal to supply power plants.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Public talk on Highland Biodiversity
Public talk on Highland Biodiversity View(s):A lecture on ‘Highland Biodiversity – Biodiversity of the upcountry Wet Zone’ will be delivered by naturalist, researcher and conservation biologist Rajika Gamage on January 8 (Thursday) at 6 pm at the Biology Lecture Theatre (BLT), Department of Zoology, University of Colombo. The lecture organised by the Sri Lanka Natural History Society (SLNHS) will focus on the upcountry Wet Zone in the Central Highlands, a globally-recognised biodiversity hotspot. The region, even after being assailed by large-scale deforestation in the coffee and tea plantation periods, still supports diverse ecosystems. It provides vital habitats for endemic plants, migratory and resident birds, insects, amphibians and iconic mammals such as the leopard and sambhur. Well-known naturalist, Rajika, is a specialist in butterflies and birds.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
George Keyt Foundation donates Rs. 3 m to relief efforts
George Keyt Foundation donates Rs. 3 m to relief efforts View(s):The George Keyt Foundation has extended support worth Rs. 3 million to the Government of Sri Lanka’s disaster relief efforts following the severe devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. In 2023, the Foundation undertook its first major fundraiser in recent years by issuing 30 numbered limited edition prints of Kangodi Rangi, a painting by George Keyt entrusted to the Foundation. The contribution was formally handed over to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya for utilisation in the Government’s ongoing relief and recovery efforts.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 07:01 UTC
Cyclone Ditwah exposed Lanka’s real housing crisis
Cyclone Ditwah exposed Lanka’s real housing crisis View(s):A land-use and population capacity analysisBy Sydney Marcus SilvaSri Lanka’s recurring housing crises, increasingly intensified by climate-related disasters, reflect long-standing structural failures in land-use planning rather than absolute land scarcity. This paper argues that Sri Lanka’s housing crisis is fundamentally a land-use governance problem, shaped by historical environmental transformation, weak regulatory enforcement, and the absence of long-term settlement planning. Colonial land transformationand environmental degradationThe roots of Sri Lanka’s contemporary land-use challenges lie in the colonial plantation economy established after 1815. DiscussionThe findings challenge the widely held assumption that Sri Lanka’s housing crisis is driven by land scarcity. Development of a national housing and settlement strategy emphasising semi-rural and suburban growth nodes linked to industry and services.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 05:34 UTC
Missing Professional Leadership in Disaster Governance: Lessons from Cyclone Ditwa
Missing Professional Leadership in Disaster Governance: Lessons from Cyclone DitwaOpinionA country that invests heavily in free education deserves professional leadership in return; the impacts of Cyclone Ditwa raise critical questions about whether that responsibility was fully honoured. During Cyclone Ditwa in Sri Lanka, that level of coordinated, proactive expert engagement was largely absent. If the academic sector remains passive, Sri Lanka risks losing one of its most potent tools for disaster risk reduction. Cyclone Ditwa must be the turning point when the country demands visible, proactive, ethically grounded leadership from its technical and academic elite. Dr. Duminda Perera is a Disaster Risk Reduction and Water Security Specialist (Civil Engineer & Hydrologist) with expertise in flood risk management, water security, and early warning systems.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 05:08 UTC
ComBank launches Dynamic Currency Conversion for online payments
ComBank launches Dynamic Currency Conversion for online payments View(s):As part of Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s sustained efforts to strengthen tourism-related businesses and improve convenience for foreign travellers, the bank has partnered with Mastercard to introduce Sri Lanka’s first Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) capability for online payments, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital payments landscape. Enabled via the Mastercard Payment Gateway Services (MPGS) platform, the new DCC feature allows international cardholders making online purchases from Sri Lankan merchants and to pay in their home currency at checkout, the bank said in a media release. This first-of-its-kind capability for online payments in Sri Lanka is designed to help local merchants grow their business by making it easier for foreign travellers to book and pay online with confidence. By enabling Mastercard Payment Gateway Services (MPGS) with Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), Sri Lankan merchants, particularly in travel, hospitality and leisure can offer overseas customers a more transparent checkout experience when making reservations for flights, accommodation and related services. DCC offers foreign cardholders the option to view and confirm the final transaction amount in their home currency before completing an online purchase, rather than being charged in Sri Lankan Rupees.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 04:03 UTC
Rs 11.5bn CEB ‘golden handshake’ to be funded with tariff increase
Rs 11.5bn CEB ‘golden handshake’ to be funded with tariff increase View(s):By Kapila BandaraA multibillion rupee ‘golden handshake’ for state workers choosing voluntary early exit will be funded by raising electricity tariffs from January to March, the Ceylon Electricity Board has proposed. CEB proposes to increase tariffs by an overall 11.57% to bridge an estimated Rs 13.094b financial deficit from January to March. External concessionary financing is being explored to fund rehabilitation costs, which are not included in the tariff submission, CEB says. Some CEB workers draw salaries that exceed Rs 3.4m a year. For the nine months ended September 2025, the CEB booked a loss of Rs 9.5b on revenue of Rs 311.4b.
Source:Sunday Times
January 04, 2026 03:35 UTC